Thermo-electric generator



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. B. COX. THERMO-ELECTRIC GENERATOR.

ML 535,489 Patented'Mar. l2, 1895.

(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet z.

H. B. COX;

THERMO-ELECTRIC GENERATOR.

10,535,489 A Patented Mar. 12, 1895.

A TTOHNEY.

IOv

UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE.

HARRY BARRINGER COX, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

THERMO-ELECTRIC GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 535,489, dated March12, 1895.

Application tiled March 8,1893. Renewed August `14, 1894. Serial No.520,329.

To wZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY BARRINGER Cox, of Hartford, in the county ofHartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Thermo- Electric Generators; and I do hereby declarethat the following is a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of. reference markedv thereon,which form part of this specication.

This invention relates to certain improvements in the manufacture andconstruction ot'lthermo electric generators. V I

The object of the invention is to improve the construction of thermoelectric generators so as to produce the same on a practical basis andexceedingly strong and durable against extremes of heat and yet cheap inconstruction and eective in action to generate a maximum current with aminimum consu mption of fuel.

A further object of the invention is to provide improvements in themanufacture of thermo electric generators whereby generators of greatstrength and durability can be made quickly, easily and economically.

A further object of the invention is to improve certain details ofconstruction and arrangements of parts and attachments whereby acomplete and practical thermo electric generator is produced.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction and incombinations of parts, and improvements in the manufacture of thermoelectric generators, more fully and particularly pointed,outhereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a vertical section ofa thermo electric generator constructed according to my invention. Fig.2 is a horizontal section. Fig. 3 is a detail enlarged section of asection of the pile showing the internal and external coating and thejacket around the outside coating. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional viewshowing the manner of attaching the head pieces.

In the drawings the reference letter o., in-

(No model.)

dicates a suitable support as a bracket usually having a vertical armadapted to be secured to a Wall or upright support where 'the bracket isto be thus secured. The bracket has a horizontal portion or spider frameprovided with the central opening or tube b,through which any suitableburner c, such as a Bunsen `burner can be passed and in which it can besecured in the desired vertical adjustment by anysuitable means, such asa screw d. A suitable insulating ring or cylinder e, rests on thehorizontal portion of the bracket or support. This cylinder ispreferably so con structed as to be capable of considerable sustainingpower and strength to support the thermo electric pile f, which reststhereon, although if desired the pile can be suitably supported in anyother way so that this insulating cylinder will not have to sustain thesame. The pile is preferably cylindrical in form, or of some suitableshape so that the heat can be suitably applied to the interior or onesurface thereof. arranged that the burner or other heating` source willbe centrally located beneath the open center thereof. The pile issuitably constructedof a series of rings g, placed one above the otherwith suitable interposed rings h, of insulating material between therings. Each ring is composed of thermo couples and the rings aresuitably connected electrically so that the pile has the positive andnegative connections from opposite ends thereof. This pile is providedwith the insulating ring or cylinder i, on the upper end thereof.

The series of detlectors j, are suspended centrally in the open centerof the pile directly over the source of heat by means of a rod or othermeans depending from a suitable bracket or spider frame 7c, resting onthe upper end of the pile.

The insulating cylinders prevent escape or radiation of heat but confineit within the pile until it reaches the upper end thereof.

In constructing the pile after the rings of couples have been properlyplaced together the entire pile inside and outside is coated with somesuitable cement Z, or other heat resisting refractory non conductingmaterial,

This pile is so such as lire clay, while soft. When the pile has thusbeen properly coated it is baked by subjecting it to ahigh temperaturefor a sufficient period to harden and vitrify the soft coating. Thecylinder thus formed is of great durability and hardness and heatresisting qualities. y The leading out wires or take offs from the endsof this pile project through the coating. This cylinder is then providedwith a tightly fitting jacket m, preferably as hereinafter described. Asheet of metal is provided slightly greater in length thank thecircumference of the pile cylinder and also greater in Width than thelength of the pile cylinder. This plate has two holes formed in it nearone edge and the plate is placed on a flat surface and covered with somesuitable cement which will unite the plate to thehard cement. The pileis then placed on the plate with the two take off wires from the ends'ofthe pile projecting through the holes in the plate. The plate is thentightly rolled around the pile so that the ends thereof over lap, theinner surfaces of the plate being kept constantly coated withy theplastic cement as the plate is rolled around the cylinder. After dryingthe ends of the plate are then suitably secured together by brazing,soldering or the like. This mode of building the pile results in a mostsolid, rigid and durable structure. i

The edges of the metal jacket project beyond the upper and lower ends ofthe pile, as shown by fn.. The end heads or rings o o, are then placedin position. Each head has an annular projecting flange or rim p, aroundits central opening and having its outer edge beveled or inclined asshown. Hence when either head is placed on the pile the outer inclinededge of said projection engages the inner surface of the protruding edgeof the metal jacket and when the head is forced home this edge forms atight joint with the protruding edge of the jacket. The tightness of thejoints thus formed between the heads and protruding edges of the metaljackets is further strengthened by brazin g or soldering. The outercasing q, is then suitably secured to the outer edges of the heads,thereby form ing the water jacket r, which has suitable inlet and outletconnections.

The take off wires from the opposite ends of the pile are carried outthrough the water jacket and through the heads to separate binding postss, from which the current can be conveyed where desired. The conductorsare suitably insulated from the water in the water space and from themetal heads and metal jacket.

WhileIhave shown the generator as heated by a gas burner, yet it isobvious that the invention is not limited to such, but any desiredsuitable heating means or medium can be employed.

Various constructions and features have been specifically describedherein for the sake of clearness but ll wish it understood that I do notlimit myself tothe construction herein set forth but consider myselfentitled to all such changes and variations as fall within the spiritand scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, whatl claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent ot' the United States, is-

l. The herein described mode of constructing thermo electric generatorswhich consists in forming a cylindrical or hollow thermo pile, coatingsaid pile with plastic refractory material, and intimately. securing ametallic jacket around said refractory material, as and for the purposesset forth.

2. The herein described Amode of making thermo electric generators whichconsists in forming a thermo electric pile, then coating the pile withrefractory material, and hardening the same, and then wrapping the pilewith sheetmetal, and cementing or otherwise securing the same on`thepile, substantially as described.

3. The herein described cylindrical thermo electric pile having anexterior coating of refractory material surrounded by a sheet metaljacket rigidly cemented thereto, as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The thermo electric pile having a metallic jacket cemented orotherwise intimately secured around vthe same, substantially asdescribed.

5. The thermo electric pile coated with ref ractory material and havingan exterior sheet metal jacket, substantially as described.

G. The thermo electric generator having its thermo pile coated withrefractory material and having a sheet metal jacket, and a water jacketaround the sheet metal jacket, substantially as described.

7. The thermo electric pile having the sheet` metal jacket projectingbeyond the ends of the pile, substantially as described.

8. The thermo electric pile having the eX- terior sheet metal jacketprojecting beyond the ends of the pile, the heads having the rimslitting in said projecting edges of the jacket, and a casing surroundingsaid heads to form the water jacket, substantially as described.

9. In a thermo electric generator, the combination of the pile havingthe metal jacket projecting beyond the ends thereof, the heads havingthe rims having beveled edges tted inside of the said projecting portionof said jacket, to form a tight joint, and the casing surrounding saidhead to form a waterjacket around the pile, substantially as described.

10. A cylindrical thermo electric pile, in combination with a bracketsupporting the same, and a gas burner carried by the bracket at the opencenter of the pile, substantially as described.

11. The combination with a thermo electric pile, of a bracket supportingsaid pile, a burner supported by the bracket at the open IOO IIO

center of the pile, and conductors from the in,., 4T laterally from theends thereoand the pile to binding posts in the bracket, substancasingaround the heads to form the Water tially as described. space,substantially as described.

l2. In combination, a support, a thermo In testimony that I claim theforegoing as 5 electric pile, a ring or cylinder of non conmy own Iaffix my signature in presence of 15 ducting material between thesupport and two Witnesses.

pile` to prevent radiation or escape of heat, HARRY BARRINGER COX.substantially as described. Witnesses:

13. The open or cylindrical thermo electric E. HENRY HYDE, J r., to pilehaving the annular heads on and project- J. L. FENN.

